Project summary
Ports of Finland and Estonia have had an important role in the Russian transit traffic; Finnish harbours are specializing in the consumer goods imports (containers), while Estonian ports serve as a raw material export harbour (oil). Even though Russia has enlarged its capacity in harbours, in warehousing and in transportation, Finland and Estonia still have important role in Russian material flows. This activity has resulted in employment opportunities and in profitable business. However, in order to at least sustain the achieved competitive advantage, these two countries should share good practices with each other.
OKT-infra is a research project focused on the questions of eastern transit logistics.
The objectives of the project are:
- to find out the current processing and storing capacity in the main harbours (and in the neighbouring area) in both countries, and different transport methods regarding connections (especially in border crossings)
- to determine middle and long term infrastructural investment needs in both countries
- to study possible future development scenarios following different investment decisions using computer simulation
- to share applicable practices among participants.
Coordinating partner:
- Lappeenranta University of Technology, Kouvola Research Unit
Main partners:
- Estonian Maritime Academy (EMARA)
- Centre for Maritime Studies (University of Turku, Kotka office)
Other co-operating partners:
- City of Kouvola
- Innorail Kouvola
- Merikotka (Kotka Maritime Research Centre)
- Port of Kotka Ltd.
- Cursor Ltd.
- The Estonian Port Operators’ union
Funding: INTERREG IIIA Southern Finland and Estonia Programme, app. 160 000 €
Project's duration: 4/2007 – 12/2007
Project’s home page:
http://www.okt-infra.fi/
Contact information:
Professor (act.) Olli-Pekka Hilmola
Lappeenranta University of Technology,
Kouvola research unit
Prikaatintie 9
45100 Kouvola
Tel: +358 5 353 0226
E-mail: firstname.lastname@lut.fi